Pratt and Whitney lays off 250

Just as some in the trade press rushed to report the end of the aerospace slump, Pratt & Whitney Canada laid off 250 employees because of a decline in demand “…with no signs of a recovery in 2010.”

The company is also closing its facility in Longueuil, Quebec, by the end of 2010. The plant’s activities will be transferred to other Canadian facilities. The closure will bring an additional workforce reduction of 160.

“These are difficult times. We need to make strategic decisions and structural changes to remain competitive and preserve our future in the face of continuing economic headwinds,” said John Saabas, Pratt & Whitney Canada president. “We are sensitive to the personal impact on employees who will be affected, and we will do everything we can to ease their transition.”

The company will consolidate its activities into three key strategic manufacturing and aftermarket facilities in Quebec. These include its headquarters, manufacturing, and research and development facility in Longueuil; its service centre in St. Hubert; and its Mirabel Aerospace Centre, the future home of Pratt & Whitney’s global flight test operations, and final assembly and test of PW1524G engines for the Bombardier CSeries and the PW800 engine family.

AOPA Pilot Senior Editor Alton Marsh has been a pilot since 1970 and has an airline transport pilot certificate and instrument and multiengine flight instructor certificates, aerobatic training, and a commercial seaplane certificate.

AOPA is calling on its members to take immediate action to build support for new legislation that would reform the third class medical process and provide other protections for general aviation pilots.